Robin Hood (1984–1986)
"Robin of Sherwood" (original title)

A forest mystical being appoints two men in succession as the legendary outlaw defender of the oppressed.

Creator:

Richard Carpenter

Stars:

Peter Llewellyn Williams, Ray Winstone, Mark Ryan

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Peter Llewellyn Williams	...	Much (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Ray Winstone	...	Will Scarlet (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Mark Ryan	...	Nasir (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Clive Mantle	...	Little John (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Judi Trott	...	Lady Marion (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Phil Rose	...	Friar Tuck (24 episodes, 1984-1986)
Robert Addie	...	Sir Guy of Gisburne (21 episodes, 1984-1986)
Nickolas Grace	...	Robert de Rainault (17 episodes, 1984-1986)
John Abineri	...	Herne the Hunter (16 episodes, 1984-1986)
Jason Connery	...	Robert of Huntingdon (13 episodes, 1986)
Michael Praed	...	Robin of Loxley (11 episodes, 1984-1985)

Storyline

Robin of Loxley is chosen by the mystical Herne the Hunter to become his 'son' and champion the oppressed. Gathering a band of comrades around him he fights a guerilla campaign against their Norman dictators, particularly the Sheriff of Nottingham and his deputy, Guy de Gisburne. Later he is succeeded by Robert of Huntingdon, renegade nobleman. This retelling of the legend introduces a strong fantasy element, with black magic and the old religion.

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Plot Keywords:

magic | outlaw | cult figure | fencing | swashbuckler | 

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Genres:

Action | Fantasy | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 April 1984 (UK)

Also Known As:

Robin Hood

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goldcrest Films International, Harlech Television (HTV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (24 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

First series director 'Ian Sharp' used an effect during a zoom by freezing and skipping frames for one shot in the opening credits. His successor Robert Young loved it so much he started to use it all the time.

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Quotes

Robin of Loxley: Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten.

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Connections

Spoofed in Fast Forward: Episode #3.4 (1987)

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Soundtracks

"Darkmere"
Composed by Ciarán Brennan
Performed by Clannad

User Reviews

The best retelling of the Robin Hood legend - ever!

This retelling weaves myth and magic with the Robin Hood legend and, indeed, Robin becomes associated with the forest god, Herne the Hunter reinforcing the idea that Robin is a medieval incarnation of The Green Man (the 'foliate head' of the old religion which is often found carved on many churches).

The scripts were were well written, the plotting well thought out and the characters - and ensemble cast - excellent. In particular, congratulations to Mark Ryan - who became Nasir the Saracen. Due to be killed off at the end of the the first episode, he was so good, that he remained as a permanent cast member.

Ultimately, though, the series' immediate appeal was due to the amazing on-screen chemistry between its two leads, Michael Praed and the beautiful Judi Trott as (the first) Robin and his Marion. Praed's youthful, dark, good looks had an almost 'fey' quality which made the magical element entirely believable. (And by 'fey' I don't mean to imply any loss of masculinity.) The first two seasons - with Praed - were by far the best.

In the third season, Jason Connery had a hell of a task following an actor so perfect for the Robin role, but he did reasonably well and the strong ensemble cast carried the change of lead well. Richard Carpeneter's wise decision to make the new 'Robin Hood' a completely different character with a completely different background was a very wise move.

I suppose any review should mention the immense debt Costner's Robin Hood Prince of Thieves owes to Robin of Sherwood. Some might say that 'debt' was putting it mildly! Costner not only retained the Saracen (who until Nasir had never been a Robin Hood character at all) but he filmed in many of the same locations; used the same horsemaster (Stevie Dent) and clung to the magical elements - though being a good old American boy stuck to the idea of Christianity good - old religion bad, whereas Robin of Sherwood often showed the political corruption of the Church (historically accurate)and the simple spirituality of the old religion (unrelated to 'black' magic). Alan Rickman's OTT sheriff was a wilder version of Nickolas Grace's sly characterisation.

What more can I say? If you've never seen Robin of Sherwood, rush out and buy the complete thing on DVD - I guarantee you'll watch it again and again for the lovely filmic quality of the camera work, the leisurely but never dull pacing (which invests in the attention span and intelligence of its audience), the acting, the ideas, the very real emotional kick and (much praised) the delightful music by Clannad.

And did I mention Michael Pread...?